ISHS Acta Horticulturae 56: Symposium on Juvenility in Woody Perennials
GROWTH INTENSITY AND FLOWER BUD FORMATION IN YOUNG VEGETATIVELY PROPAGATED APPLE TREES |
| Author: | A. Mika |
| Abstract:
Growth intensity of young apple trees was regulated by means of rootstocks, soil cultivation and pruning treatments. The vigorous growth obtained by clean soil cultivation treatments increased the number of fruit buds formed in comparison to weak growth obtained by grassing down the soil. However, vigorous growth of shoots obtained by pruning decreased fruit bud formation and fruiting. It is supposed that as a result of natural growth correlation in the shoot, initial strong growth leads to the production of numerous spurs on which fruit buds are formed. Vigorous growth of a limited number of shoots on a young apple tree does not inhibit fruit bud formation on spurs. Pruning disrupts the natural growth correlation in the shoot and stimulates a high proportion of the lateral buds to grow into strong shoots, which are incapable of forming flower buds. | |
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